The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has described the removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police as a “relief,” saying his tenure set a troubling precedent and weakened institutional integrity within the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement titled “Good Riddance to Egbetokun: History Beckons on Disu to Prove His Mettle and Make the Difference,” signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the civil rights organisation criticised the extension of Egbetokun’s tenure despite his attainment of the statutory retirement age.
According to the group, the decision to retain him in office in spite of widespread objections undermined morale among rank-and-file officers and deepened public distrust.
“The decision to extend his tenure despite widespread objections undermined institutional integrity and damaged morale. His tenure was marked by declining police welfare, weak accountability for misconduct, and erosion of public confidence,” the statement read.
RULAAC, however, expressed cautious optimism over the appointment of Olatunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police, citing his previous role as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos as evidence of a more professional and humane policing approach.
The group noted that Disu now inherits a highly centralised and underfunded institution grappling with systemic corruption and public credibility challenges.
Setting out a three-point reform agenda, RULAAC urged the new police chief to prioritise welfare reforms aimed at curbing extortion and misconduct within the force. It also called for immediate transparency regarding unresolved allegations of organ harvesting linked to operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Awkuzu, Anambra State.
“One of the first critical steps the new IGP should take is directing the Force Public Relations Officer to publish the investigation report on the Awkuzu organ harvesting allegations. Transparency in this matter will signal that impunity will not be tolerated,” Nwanguma stated.
The advocacy group further urged Disu to safeguard the integrity of the 2027 general elections by ensuring that the police remain professionally neutral and resist political interference.
While pledging civil society support for genuine reforms, RULAAC emphasised that the new IGP’s legacy would be judged by his ability to scale humane policing practices across the entire force.